http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-06-01T094857Z_01_GEO128985_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAQ.xml
Iraqi PM mounts first security crackdown in Basra
Thu Jun 1, 2006 10:49 AM BST

By Aref Mohammed

BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Police and soldiers set up checkpoints and searched cars in Iraq's second city on Thursday in a first test of new Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's ability to restore stability with an "iron fist" security crackdown.

Maliki ordered the army onto the streets of Basra on Wednesday for a one-month state of emergency to show Iraqis he means business about tackling insecurity, 11 days after his government of national unity was sworn in.

Basra, 550 km (340 miles) south of Baghdad, should be an early indication of whether he can back his words with action after previous Iraqi leaders failed to ease a raging Sunni insurgency and sectarian violence threatening vital oil exports.

But some Basra residents said his security forces face a complex network of gangs and assassins that includes Saddam Hussein loyalists and warring Shi'ite militias who thrive in the bloody chaos of an oil city that provides much of Iraq's income.

"All the assassinations carried out by gangs are done by former regime members and armed men who belong to some parties. Their goal is to destroy security to serve their interests," said merchant Jawaad Hassan.

Checkpoints have popped up across Basra, with the police in the city centre and army units on the outskirts inspecting every car that passes by, witnesses said.

"We have orders to be on full alert for a month. There will be constant patrols. We have orders to pull over cars with shaded windows. Unauthorised weapons will be taken," said police captain Ali Jassem.

He said licence plates of all police and army vehicles will be registered in a computer file -- a sign that Maliki may be addressing complaints that gunmen in police and army vehicles and uniforms are carrying out kidnappings and killings.

Is this the beginning of stability, or just another empty promise? Only time will tell.

I know that all of the leftists want to see the USA-UK fail in the effort to stabilize Iraq, just as they want to see the USA fail in everything else.